Suspicion clouded Maryn’s eyes. “Has our seer confirmed that?”
“Not yet,” Gregorios answered smoothly. His graceful composure gave away nothing. I willed my nerves to settle, but they were on the verge of combusting.
How much longer could this go on?
“Tell me about your education. When did you graduate from a Royal Academy, and from which location?”
“I… didn’t.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I never attended an Academy.”
Maryn stewed on my words. “That’s impossible.”
I gestured at myself, wincing from my taut, burning skin. “So are two princesses in a year, apparently.” Sweat trickled down my forehead and at the nape of my neck from the room’s scrutiny. I couldn’t keep it together much longer.
“It is rare, but not impossible,” Gregorios reminded Maryn. “While the institutions are meant to educate and prepare those for Chosen life, several Scorpion queens did not hail from an Academy. Perhaps Scorpio saw potential in Novah that could not be found in someone from an Academy. Perhaps, Queen Regent,” Gregorios said softly, “it is because of these strange circumstances in which Novah has come to us that we must trust in Scorpio more than ever. I didn’t believe it myself and didn’t want to alarm you should it be false. But Blood Healing worked on her, and she survived the Choosing. She could very well be a sign that our darkest days are behind us.”
Maryn surveyed the room. “You all know the rules in place. I willnottolerate disobedience.” Her eyes settled on me. “Until you prove yourself, until your eyes change to the color of the topaz,Iam in charge. You, like everyone else, will obey my command. Am I clear?”
Having just met this woman, it was evident she craved control. No wonder she kept everyone around here on a tight leash like pets. I had no intention of being one of them for long.
“I said…” Maryn leaned forward, resting her weight on her elbows. “Am. I. Clear?”
“As quartz,” I quipped.
She straightened in her chair, displeasure tightening her mouth.
The dynamic between a queen regent and the rest of the court was odd. Here I was, supposedly aChosen—something I had yet to wrap my mind around—and it was evident I had no real power here.
Maryn’s shoulders loosened. “Now that we’ve established who you are, I suppose you should meet the rest of this court. Across the table is our commander, Alekko.”
A formidable figure stood from his seat. He had deep brown skin and black hair tied in strands down his back. A dark, sleeveless tunic clung to his muscular frame partially covered by layered black armor on his shoulders. With deep-set eyes and a strong brow, I found the man intimidating.
But his words to me were gentle and warm. “Princess. An honor.” He bowed his head. “I oversee this queendom’s defenses, managing the royal guard and enforcing patrols. I hope I get to serve you well.”
“Incoming,” Felaf voiced mirthfully.
A woman burst into the room behind me. “I’m here!”
“Andthisis Vesperah,” Alekko introduced the flustered woman with a smile. She was a fearsome warrior, decked in shiny black armor with golden skin and beautiful tawny hair. “Our chronically late captain of the City Guard and second in command, should anything happen to me.”
“Apologies for my tardiness.” Vesperah took a seat in the empty chair beside Alekko. “A riot of looters trying to break into the Baron’s District required my attention.” Her gaze slid up to the commander’s. “And nothing could happen to you, you big brute.”
Alekko winked, surprising me with his open affection in such a formal setting. I instantly decided I liked them both. “A pleasure to meet you,” I said sincerely.
Vesperah’s answering grin was one of wariness, but kind nonetheless. Scorpions were not very trusting, it seemed.
Two advisors introduced themselves next, both female in the event another queen regent should ever need to be elected. They gawked at me like vultures waiting to devour their prey.
“Thank you for those introductions, Vesperah and Alekko.” Maryn dipped her head.
Interesting. Maryn regarded them more highly than she did Gregorios, Raithe, Felaf, and even myself.
“Now, as for your attending ladies,” she continued, “I’ll select a personal team to tend?—”
“I’ve already selected someone,” I said. I was ready to be done with this. My head was spinning, and from the icy-hot flashes crawling up my neck, I suspected I had a fever. “Letti. And she can assemble her own team.”
